The Smiths

Graeme Smith
Not much doubt about one of our openers: "Biff" has bullied attacks from Durban to Dunedin, and now has well over 8000 Test runs at an average a touch below 50. He's skippered in nearly 100 Tests too, a record, and so will fight out the captaincy of this side with the man at No. 5.

Dave Smith
A personal favourite, possibly because I played against him at school, the uncompromising left-hander Dave Smith - who went into battle (sometimes literally) for Surrey, Sussex and Worcestershire - could well have won more than two Test caps. He was called up for the toughest of tours, against West Indies at the height of their powers in 1985-86, and typically didn't take a step back.

Ranji
A surprise name at No. 3, perhaps - but Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, all willowy grace as he wafted the ball away to the boundary, the impression burnished by the silk shirts he habitually wore buttoned to those flexible wrists, was known as "Smith" to his university friends at Cambridge in the early 1890s.

Robin Smith
It wasn't much fun fielding in the gully down at Southampton if Robin Smith was in form: few have leathered the ball square at such a ferocious speed. "The Judge" (so called because of his crinkly legal-wig-type hair) had pretty good Test figures of 4236 runs at 43 - but the suspicion remains they should have been even better.

MJK Smith
Fair-haired and bespectacled, Mike Smith was a popular captain of Warwickshire and - often - England during the 1960s. He played exactly 50 Tests, and scored three centuries (plus two 99s and a 98), and achieved the unusual distinction of appearing in the 1972 Ashes series four years after announcing a (short-lived) retirement.

Collie Smith
One of Test cricket's mournful might-have-beens, the Jamaican O'Neil Gordon "Collie" Smith scored a century on his Test debut against Australia in 1954-55, and 161 and 168 for an otherwise outclassed West Indies in England in 1957. He could bowl, too - handy offbreaks that brought him eight wickets in the match in Delhi early in 1959, to go with a century. But later that year Smith was killed in a car accident. He was only 26, and would surely have helped make the West Indian side that ruled the mid-'60s even more formidable.

Dwayne Smith
A later West Indian free spirit, this time from Barbados, Dwayne Smith clobbered probably the fastest Test-debut hundred of all - in 93 balls in Cape Town in January 2004 - before being pigeonholed as a one-day specialist. T20 suits him down to the ground: in IPL5, with Mumbai Indians needing 15 from four balls from Ben Hilfenhaus, non-striker Smith mooched down to RP Singh and said: "Take a single, I'll do the rest." And he did - a six and two fours sealed the deal.

Ian Smith
Quite a bit of competition for the wicketkeeper's spot, especially from Warwickshire, who produced the combative "Tiger" Smith in the early part of the 20th century, and Alan - later the ECB chief executive - around 50 years later. "AC" once took his pads off and took a hat-trick, which would be an added bonus in this team, but in the end New Zealand's Ian Stockley Smith got the nod, for slick glovework and the ability to smash 173 from No. 9 in a Test, as he did against India in Auckland in 1989-90. Nowadays, more stocky than Stockley, he's also an ebullient TV commentator.

Big Jim Smith
A fast bowler good enough to win five England caps in the 1930s, Middlesex's Jim Smith was also, according to this Rewind column, probably "the ultimate slogger". Big Jim - he was 6ft 3ins tall and 16 stone - regularly endangered the windows at Lord's, and once hit the ball over the lime tree at Canterbury. There wasn't much science about his batting - a scything slog was more or less his only shot - but he once reached 50 in 11 minutes, the fastest authentic half-century on record.

Mike Smith
A low-slung left-armer, Mike Smith took the new ball for Gloucestershire for around a decade, swinging the ball about waspishly in Bristol and beyond. But on his one appearance for England, in the Ashes Test at Headingley in 1997, that swing deserted him - and so did luck, as he had Matthew Elliott dropped in the slips, a relatively easy chance to Graham Thorpe, when he had 29. Elliott went on to make 199, and Australia won by an innings (a young shaver called Ricky Ponting came in later and scored a sublime 127). Smith didn't take a wicket, and never played again.

Peter Smith
Rounding off our XI is, fittingly, the man who made the highest-ever score from No. 11: Peter Smith biffed 163 for Essex against Derbyshire in Chesterfield in 1947, putting on 214 for the last wicket with Frank Vigar (a proper batsman, who finished with 114 not out). In his day job Smith was a fine legspinner, who also took 172 wickets in that 1947 season, and won four England caps. All told, our team would certainly be worth watching when they batted.

Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2013. Ask Steven is now on Facebook

And the Jacks, in probable batting order: Hobbs, Fingleton, JDB Robertson, JW ('Young' Jack) Hearne, Ryder, Cheetham (SA, capt), JM Gregory, 'Jack' Russell, 'Farmer' Jack White, JT ('Old Jack') Hearne, Iverson. It's a reasonably balanced XI, I think, but lacks another genuine quick to support Gregory. JN Crawford, (medium pace all-rounder) might have to be included in the interests of balance, but who to drop? Cheetham, on figures, but I wanted a genuine quality skipper. Although several of these played few Tests, there is undoubted quality (& some greatness) there from 1 to 11. I'd certainly back these Jacks against the Ians, the Andrews,the Bruces, the Singhs, the Mohammmeds, & yes, the Smiths ;-) !

This is an old game but still fun. I remember contributing a Martin XI when cricinfo was nothing more than a bulletin board / usergroup (c. 1995).

How about a Q/X/Z XI? I'd expect a large contingent of Pakistanis but, in current times, the Aussies can contribute Xavier Doherty and Rob Quiney, and the South Africans have Quinton Kock. Qasim Omar impressed a lot of Aussies with his grit in 80s, and Zaheer Abbas has to be a certainty. I was also a fan of Timmy Zoehrer in the 80s. That's 6. Anyone want to complete the team?

I never understood how MJK Smith played so often for England when there were greats like Dexter, Cowdrey, Barrington and Graveney around at the same time. As a captain he prevented Edrich from going for the world record by declaring with the series already won. It´s a complete joke how you mention that he vies for the captaincy with Biff.
@ Nelson, your Michael team is missing arguably the greatest all-rounder behind Sobers,Kallis and Miller.
The Singh team could do with someone who could perform in bad weather: Gene Kelly.

TripleCenturian
on January 21, 2013, 19:38 GMT

You can't have a team of The Smiths without one of them being called Marr or Morrissey.

And what about LOB Fleetwood-Smith to add to the bowling options, even though he has the worst ever bowling analysis in a Test match?

And the Jacks, in probable batting order: Hobbs, Fingleton, JDB Robertson, JW ('Young' Jack) Hearne, Ryder, Cheetham (SA, capt), JM Gregory, 'Jack' Russell, 'Farmer' Jack White, JT ('Old Jack') Hearne, Iverson. It's a reasonably balanced XI, I think, but lacks another genuine quick to support Gregory. JN Crawford, (medium pace all-rounder) might have to be included in the interests of balance, but who to drop? Cheetham, on figures, but I wanted a genuine quality skipper. Although several of these played few Tests, there is undoubted quality (& some greatness) there from 1 to 11. I'd certainly back these Jacks against the Ians, the Andrews,the Bruces, the Singhs, the Mohammmeds, & yes, the Smiths ;-) !

This is an old game but still fun. I remember contributing a Martin XI when cricinfo was nothing more than a bulletin board / usergroup (c. 1995).

How about a Q/X/Z XI? I'd expect a large contingent of Pakistanis but, in current times, the Aussies can contribute Xavier Doherty and Rob Quiney, and the South Africans have Quinton Kock. Qasim Omar impressed a lot of Aussies with his grit in 80s, and Zaheer Abbas has to be a certainty. I was also a fan of Timmy Zoehrer in the 80s. That's 6. Anyone want to complete the team?

I never understood how MJK Smith played so often for England when there were greats like Dexter, Cowdrey, Barrington and Graveney around at the same time. As a captain he prevented Edrich from going for the world record by declaring with the series already won. It´s a complete joke how you mention that he vies for the captaincy with Biff.
@ Nelson, your Michael team is missing arguably the greatest all-rounder behind Sobers,Kallis and Miller.
The Singh team could do with someone who could perform in bad weather: Gene Kelly.

TripleCenturian
on January 21, 2013, 19:38 GMT

You can't have a team of The Smiths without one of them being called Marr or Morrissey.

And what about LOB Fleetwood-Smith to add to the bowling options, even though he has the worst ever bowling analysis in a Test match?

I have a soft spot for Robin Smith as him and his brother Chris made a huge impact on Natal in the early 80's when I was a kid. Good Durban boys. At the time, Chris was the one making all the headlines, but Robin seemed to overtake him in time. No small measure of skill but his courage and pugnacious attitude was what set him apart. Because of him I am now obliged to support Hampshire! Still, could be worse...

A special mention has to go to another Smith who played at the same time and for Robin's Natal team. Andrew 'Tich' Smith was our keeper for best part of a decade.

Surely Ed Smith, a fine writer for these very pages, warrants selection ahead of David?! Guessing you didn't play against Ed in a Varsity game then, ey Steven?! ;-) Even Chris Smith, Robin's elder brother, would be in my team before Big Dave.

Personally, I'd also have gone for Geordie boy, Paul Smith, ex of Warwickshire in the 80s and 90s, in the allrounder position that youve given to Dwayne. As much for his colourful, storied career off the field, as on it!

Sohaib.Ahmed
on January 21, 2013, 10:04 GMT

I got another team for you "The Taylors". If you want to modify this team then you can do it and present your next article on this. Here is the team:

Robin Smith was a fantastic player at county and international level. He ultimately fell victim to Ray Illingworth's style of management. Bear in mind that the Test average is in spite of an apparent weakness against spin and many of those Tests being against West Indies in their pomp. Probably worth 55+ these days. Fond memories of a superb batsman and a decent bloke too.

Steveae70
on January 21, 2013, 6:15 GMT

What an awesome old photo of ian smith. definitely a much bigger chap these days

MrKricket
on January 21, 2013, 4:52 GMT

How about the two Steve Smiths who played for Australia? In the 80s Steve Smith scored a triple century in the Sheffield Shield and made his ODI debut later that season scoring a century vs Sri Lanka as Australia topped 300 in Australia for the first time. He got a couple of Test caps as I recall but went on the rebel tour to SA and wound up playing for a SA province as I recall.

The current Steve(n) Smith's story is yet to be written...

Nutcutlet
on January 22, 2013, 9:38 GMT

And the Jacks, in probable batting order: Hobbs, Fingleton, JDB Robertson, JW ('Young' Jack) Hearne, Ryder, Cheetham (SA, capt), JM Gregory, 'Jack' Russell, 'Farmer' Jack White, JT ('Old Jack') Hearne, Iverson. It's a reasonably balanced XI, I think, but lacks another genuine quick to support Gregory. JN Crawford, (medium pace all-rounder) might have to be included in the interests of balance, but who to drop? Cheetham, on figures, but I wanted a genuine quality skipper. Although several of these played few Tests, there is undoubted quality (& some greatness) there from 1 to 11. I'd certainly back these Jacks against the Ians, the Andrews,the Bruces, the Singhs, the Mohammmeds, & yes, the Smiths ;-) !

MrKricket
on January 21, 2013, 4:52 GMT

How about the two Steve Smiths who played for Australia? In the 80s Steve Smith scored a triple century in the Sheffield Shield and made his ODI debut later that season scoring a century vs Sri Lanka as Australia topped 300 in Australia for the first time. He got a couple of Test caps as I recall but went on the rebel tour to SA and wound up playing for a SA province as I recall.

The current Steve(n) Smith's story is yet to be written...

Steveae70
on January 21, 2013, 6:15 GMT

What an awesome old photo of ian smith. definitely a much bigger chap these days

pragmatist
on January 21, 2013, 9:02 GMT

Robin Smith was a fantastic player at county and international level. He ultimately fell victim to Ray Illingworth's style of management. Bear in mind that the Test average is in spite of an apparent weakness against spin and many of those Tests being against West Indies in their pomp. Probably worth 55+ these days. Fond memories of a superb batsman and a decent bloke too.

Sohaib.Ahmed
on January 21, 2013, 9:29 GMT

Your team is awesome and i just gave a thought about another team as "The Khans" hope you will add this team in your next article if possible.Here is the team:

Surely Ed Smith, a fine writer for these very pages, warrants selection ahead of David?! Guessing you didn't play against Ed in a Varsity game then, ey Steven?! ;-) Even Chris Smith, Robin's elder brother, would be in my team before Big Dave.

Personally, I'd also have gone for Geordie boy, Paul Smith, ex of Warwickshire in the 80s and 90s, in the allrounder position that youve given to Dwayne. As much for his colourful, storied career off the field, as on it!

I have a soft spot for Robin Smith as him and his brother Chris made a huge impact on Natal in the early 80's when I was a kid. Good Durban boys. At the time, Chris was the one making all the headlines, but Robin seemed to overtake him in time. No small measure of skill but his courage and pugnacious attitude was what set him apart. Because of him I am now obliged to support Hampshire! Still, could be worse...

A special mention has to go to another Smith who played at the same time and for Robin's Natal team. Andrew 'Tich' Smith was our keeper for best part of a decade.